China Scene: South

Young couple die trying to save pet dog in reservoir

A young couple in Shenzhen's Baoan District drowned after they jumped into a reservoir Monday to rescue their pet dog.

The accident happened after the couple, who were in their 20s, took out their dog for an evening walk along the reservoir. After the dog leapt into reservoir, the man immediately jumped into the water to rescue the dog. The woman followed him 10 minutes later after the man failed to rescue their pet.

When police arrived at the scene, both of them were already drowned. Neighbors said both of them were not good swimmers. The dog, however, was rescued from the reservoir by the police.

(Shenzhen Special Zone Daily)

Boy seeks surgery after teasing at school

High school senior Wang Ming begged doctors in a hospital to do cosmetic surgery on his face so he wouldn't have to face ridicule from his classmates anymore.

The tormented student was upset after his female classmates teased him over his appearance during the first day of the new school term. He went to the Guangdong Hospital of Armed Police in Guangzhou on Monday. Wang, who is from central China's Hubei Province, said he would not return home if doctors refuse to help him. Wang had 600 yuan ($77) in his pocket. He said he could not stand being ridiculed by female classmates because of his poor appearance. Doctors allowed Wang to stay in the hospital but were urging his parents to persuade Wang to give up his attempt to have cosmetic surgery.

(New Express Daily)

To get rid of drunks, taxi speeds up

A taxi driver was able to get rid of two rowdy passengers but it cost him a speeding ticket. The driver, surnamed To, picked up two men in To Kwa Wan early morning of Sunday. The passengers, reeking of alcohol, shouted obscenities and kicked at To's seat but To did not complain. Instead, he drove fast so he could reach the passengers' destination sooner.

He was stopped by police who saw him speeding but he felt relieved because the police helped him get rid of the passengers. After he explained his situation, the two passengers attacked one of the police officers and were promptly arrested.

(Ming Pao)

Police help stop disturbed student on campus

The Chinese University of Hong Kong had to call in police after a student, apparently suffering from a mental breakdown, ran non-stop throughout the campus.

The 20-year-old Chinese American is an exchange student who lives in the dormitory at the university. Her classmates said she had difficulty adjusting to the noisy environment in Hong Kong. In recent days, she often complained about rattling sounds.

She started running non-stop on campus at about 4 pm on Sunday. Her classmates tried to talk to her and even tackle her to no avail. She put up a struggle when paramedics arrived but was eventually subdued and taken to hospital.

(Singtao Daily)

(China Daily 09/07/2007 page6)